MOVEMENT ASSISTANCE DEVICE

• Main Authors: QUINTERO, HUGO A, GOLDFARB, MICHAEL, FARRIS, RYAN J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 05.04.2012
• Subjects: ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSESOR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HAND TOOLS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MANIPULATORS; MASSAGE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING ORSTIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; PROSTHESES; TRANSPORTING; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS

A apparatus includes an a exoskeleton system with a plurality of sensors for generating signals indicating a current motion and a current arrangement of at least the exoskeleton system, a hip segment, and at least one lower limb. The lower limb includes thigh and shank segments for coupling to a lateral surface of a user's leg. The thigh segment includes a first powered joint coupling the thigh segment to the hip segment, a second powered joint coupling the thigh segment to the shank segment, and a controller coupled to the sensors, the first powered joint, and the second powered joint. The controller is configured for determining a current state of the exoskeleton system and a current intent of the user based on the signals and generating control signals for the first and second powered joints based on the current state and the current intent.